ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 246, 19 July 1928, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

PUTARURU BRANCH. Tirau Complaint. I A general meeting of the Putaruru ' branch of the Auckland Acclimatisa- - tion Society was held in the Oddfel- 1 lows’ Hail on Friday, Mr. F. C. Fly- ' ger presiding. A Dry River Bed. The Auckland branch wrote stating that it understood the old river bed at Arapuni was being pumped out, 1 and it hoped the local branch would 1 make arrangements to save any fish that were in the pools. The chairman stated that there were no leisured members in the branch, and it was hard for them to do anything of that nature. Mr. Griffiths stated he understood Mr. Darby had done what he could. The matter was left with Mr. Darby. Rangers. The secretary, Mr. W. Proctor, reported that Messrs. Rainger, Hollard, Bramley and Macown had agreed to act as rangers. Mr. J. Gawith offered his services, and his name was added to the list, the chairman remarking that the branch did not have enough rangers in his opinion. Liberating Pheasants. The secretary reported that a cock and two hen pheasants each were being reared by Messrs. F. C. Barnett, E. Hollard and A. Morriss. The breeding, feeding and liberation was being done free of cost to the society by these gentlemen. “ Poachers and Vermin.” Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald, Tirau, wrote apologising for his absence, and pointed out that the Matamata branch were moving to get the Waiomou stream and its tributaries closed, also the Waihou for 20 chains on each side !of the Rotorua main road. He urged that the local branch lose no time in informing Auckland of its existence, by protesting against these proposals. The present close season for shooting in the Putaruru district had been brought about by the Matamata [ branch, and they thus knew what to 1 ejqject if a protest was not made, j The closing of the streams at Okoroire or Tirau might possibly be justifiable, but south of these places it j would only benefit poachers, hawks and other vermin. Notices should be erected on the Waiomou.

Mr. Flyger thought that Matamata was inclined to interfere too much in local affairs, and it was of the utmost necessity, if they were to properly safeguard their own interests, that more regular meetings be held. He moved that an emphatic protest be entered against Matamata’s proposal. Most local sportsmen were working men, and they- could not afford to travel far afield for their sport. Mr. J. Gawith: Before action was taken affecting this end they should have consulted US.

! Other members agreed, and the suggestion was adopted unanimously. Settler Criticised. ' The chairman reported that a local settler had been removing shingle from a fishing reserve, and also planting willows along the river bank of the Waihou. The meeting decided to take immediate action to prevent both actions. Stoats and Weasels. Mr. J. Gawith held that the district was “ lowsy ” with stoats and weasels, which did little good and much harm. He advocated the branch endeavouring to get their protection lifted.

A members reported that protection or no protection he had killed five recently in his garden. It was decided that an endeavour be made to get the restrictions lifted. Arapuni Lake.

The chairman reported that it had come to his notice that guns were being used on a launch at Arapuni, which had a speed of 40 miles per hour. Such a practice was not sporting as ducks could be run down and it did not give a heavy bird a chance to get on the wing. It was decided to write and obtain the by-laws dealing with the question. Killing Hawks. It was reported that Messrs. A. Fearce and Kingscott had done good work recently killing hawks. The secretary stated one trapper had killed 50 in the past week. It was decided to write and find out whether local payments could be made for hawks’ feet. Waihou River. Mr. J. Gawith stated that he felt it was murder to take fish from the Waihou river in May. He disagreed (Continued In Nexi Column)

with the view that this river should be made available “ for open slather.” (Laughter). It was decided to take no action in the matter of opening the river for any mode of fishing. Fishing Season. It was decided to recommend thnt the local fishing season extend from November 1 to May 31.